From Publishers Weekly Cordwainer Smith, pseudonym of the late Paul Linebarger, a professor and part-time spy, wrote only one SF novel, but it is in keeping with the picture of a future world he built in his other fiction. This novel, originally conceived and published in two parts in 1964 and '68, and later issued in paperback by Ballantine in 1975, begins like a more traditional SF tale. Protagonist Rod McBan's Norstrilian peers consider him inferior because he lacks their telepathic abilities. Nearly "culled" as part of the strictly regulated society's population control, McBan uses a computer to arbitrage the galactic financial markets, enabling him, literally, to buy Earth. While the first half would merely have made an interesting novel, the second, more lyrical part displays Smith's superior writing abilities as he describes both the Underpeople (genetically designed combinations of humans and other species-and the Instrumentality (an organization for keeping humanity from becoming stagnant). The result: a novel that transcends its time. Though not a scholarly edition (the variorum is incomplete and the introduction leaves much to be desired), this composite text, ably edited by James A. Mann, is a fine companion to the author's complete short fiction, The Rediscovery of Man. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more Review This appeared some time ago but deserves ongoing mention as a continuing classic: the only science fiction novel by Cordwainer Smith; but the center of a setting Smith developed in other short pieces. Any with an interest in Smith's unique world will want to see how it developed from these roots. -- Midwest Book Review Read more From the Publisher This is a volume in the NESFA's Choice series. The objective of this series is to publish the "classic" works of neglected sf authors, and to keep these works in print. Read more
W**S
One of the most overlooked SF writers of the 20th Century.
Smith's works--mostly short stories & novellas-- start at the end of the 20th Century, with China becoming a dominant influence, and then touch down from time to time over the next 15,000 years of human history. This is is his only novel (as far as I know) and he has a singular voice. In this book yes, but it's even more pronounced in many of his short stories. I won't recap this plot, others have done that adequately. What you should know is: the man was a brilliant visionary, e.g. one of the prime plot points of this novel is our hero coming upon his family's secret (now-forbidden) personal computer. Written LONG before personal computers had been conceived. His works cover four distinct types of interstellar travel. Interestingly he was raised in China and wasthe godson of Sun Yat Sen. He also worked with the OSS during WWII, which would become the CIA. An altogether remarkable man and a writer's writer.
J**N
Classic Science Fiction
This version came with the story "The Ballad of Lost C'Mell." It was an appropriate pairing as C'Mell figures heavily in Norstrilia. I last read it years ago; I had every hope I would enjoy it again. I am so happy that I fell once again in love with it.This classic science fiction novel draws heavily on the short stories set in the time of the Instrumentality of Mankind. I had re-read many of them shortly before I started this book. I think it deepened my appreciation of Norstrilia. I had the background to understand more about the harsh, practical world of Norstrilia, along with its customs. It is a harsh world and its customs seem cruel to me, but it made perfect sense in the setting of the book. I like Rod and C'Mell; I was totally surprised at some of the final scenarios.If you are a science fiction fan and have read any of Cordwainer Smith's short stories and liked them, but not read Norstrilia yet, you definitely should check this book out.
A**R
A science fiction master's only SF novel
This is the only science fiction novel published by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, and the only novel published under the pseudonym Cordwainer Smith. It is the centerpiece of a set of short stories dealing with the far future of humanity and of the Instrumentality of Mankind. It is unlike anything else in the realm if science fiction. Highly recommended, but if you are new to Cordwainer Smith, search for his other short stories, only a few of which are currently available on kindle.
F**R
Great edition; great book
This is perhaps my favorite science fiction novel. It has a strange plot, strange characters, and you really can't tell what's going to happen next. It deals with themes about the meaning of human life and how to best live it. Science fiction rarely does that, and even more rarely does it well. I found the novel touching.If Cordwainer Smith is new to you, then start with one of his short stories. "Scanners Live in Vain" is his most famous, and "A Planet Called Shayol" is one of my favorites. This will tell you if you like the kind of fiction he writes. The novel is very much like his stories. This novel is best read after you have read several of his stories. Many of the characters from his stories make appearances, and this gives it the feeling of wrapping up the best of Cordwainer Smith.The edition is high quality. In an appendix there are snippets from previous versions that aren't in the current version. It was originally two separate novels and there are minor differences among various editions.
J**R
I've loved Cordwainer Smith for over 40 years
Got this for my son. I simply love how strange Cordwainer Smith is. He often writes stories as if they were legends (influenced by his deep exposure to China). He also uses a unique kind of deep, even mystical body-horror that I find particularly compelling. I find his work has dreamlike/nightmare like aspects to it, though I have a (brilliant) friend whose literary taste I admire, who does not like Cordwainer Smith at all. But if you will like any Cordwainer Smith, you will like Norstrilia. The Christian imagery (the huge sick sheep, the allusions to Joan of Arc), is fascinating. I wasn't a Christian when I first read this (Cordwainer Smith, unlike CS Lewis, another faithful Anglican writer, does not seem to use his stories to evangelize, but simply implements Christian imagery and concepts for effect), but I always found his use of a painful and twisted Christian imagery both strange and compelling. He also combines this influences from classical Asian storytelling (Smith grew up largely in China, and taught on China at Johns Hopkins) - which makes for a weird mix of things!
M**E
Not really sure what I read
I had a great deal of difficulty following plot. The prose jumps around too quickly and is scattered, but as I got more comfortable with his style the book grew on me. Might read it again to figure out what I missed.
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